Page 41 of Tarnished Queen

“He spotted her at a bus station and followed her to the park.”

“And you trusted him?” There’s a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“I had Yuri do some recon before I showed up. But yes, I do. He has never done anything to betray me.”

It’s a pointed jab. One Belle clearly picks up on.

“Maybe you should marry him, then.”

I grip her chin and twist her face back to mine. “And you should work harder to conceal your emotions. I can read you like a book.”

“If you could read me like a book, you would have known I was working for Xena.”

For the second time in just a few minutes, my vision turns red. I pivot around Belle, boxing her in against the edge of the countertop. She presses a hand to my chest, as if she has the strength to hold me off.

Our bodies are molded together. Her legs are warm between mine, shifting nervously as she tries to get her feet under her. But she doesn’t need to. I’m pinning her in place with my hips.

“If I can’t read you, then why do I know your precious little feelings are hurt?” I hiss.

Her lower lip pouts out for only a fraction of a second before she shakes her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh no? Was it my imagination, then, that you didn’t like hearing that our upcoming nuptials might have another purpose? You seemed put out by the idea it was all a show for Xena.”

“It doesn’t matter why you want to marry me because it’s not going to happen.”

I lean forward and brush my lips over her temple. “Is that right? You don’t care if I’m only marrying you to make another woman jealous?”

There’s a beat before Belle looks up at me. “Are you?”

“I thought it didn’t matter.”

She growls and slams her hands against my chest. I don’t budge, and she crosses her arms in a temper tantrum. “It doesn’t, because the wedding isn’t happening. I won’t agree to it.”

“That would be a problem only if your opinion made any difference in my plans.”

“You can’t force me to marry you!” The words are forceful, but I can see the uncertainty in her eyes. It’s a statement as much as a question.

“When are you going to learn,kotyonok? I can do whatever I want.”

“Maybe with the blindly obedient automatons who work for you, but not with me.”

I tug on the tear in her nightgown, ripping the seam free so her left shoulder is bared. “Wrong.Especiallywith you. You can’t resist me, Belle. You’re desperatefor me. And now, you’re carrying my baby. So we will get married, whether you’re happy about it or not.”

“No, we won’t!”

“And,” I continue, ignoring her, “if you don’t want to cooperate, then you can ask some of my men what happens to people who disobey the orders of the don.”

She arches a brow. “You just nearly killed Christo for pointing a knife at me. Am I really supposed to believe you’d hurt me?”

I grab a strand of her auburn hair and twirl it around my finger. “I’ve never been good at sharing. If anyone is going to punish my woman, it’s going to be me.”

A flush moves across her cheeks. I know she’s thinking about the last time I punished her. With her barely-clothed body pressed against mine, I’m thinking about it, too.

Belle is staring up at me with heated eyes, anger and desire mingling in her gaze. I’m about to break the tension between us when I hear footsteps in the hallway.

I look up just in time to catch a figure moving away from the kitchen door.

“Stop right there!” I push away from Belle and jump towards the door.

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